Although the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will be officially marked at 5:51 a.m. (CDT) June 21, we have already belly-flopped into the pool of hot and humid days and warm and humid nights.

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are common during this time of the year. When some of these storms linger into late evening and nighttime hours, they light up the sky not only for those within close proximity, but for others up to 100 miles away from the storm.

The lightning seen from distant thunderstorms is referred to by many as “heat lightning.”

Before we proceed, let’s bust a myth.

“Heat lightning” is lightning -- period. It is not a different form of lightning. It is lightning produced from a distant thunderstorm, but the thunder sound doesn’t survive the journey.

The term is believed to have acquired its name because its sky effects are often noticed more on sultry nights following daytime thunderstorms.

Lightning can heat the air around it to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

When it comes to “heat lightning,” you won’t feel the rain and you may not hear the thunder, but don’t let the pretty sky fool you: head indoors to be safe.